The Titans will be running some variation of a 3-4 defense next year. In order to do that, they are going to need to sign some linebackers because, if we are being honest, their linebackers just aren't very good. At the very least, they don't have the guys to play 3-4 at LB.
Karlos Dansby would be a prime target for the Titans with this in mind. He had a very good year for the Arizona Cardinals in a 3-4 and his contract is up. I asked Jess Root of Revenge of the Birds about Dansby- specifically the odds he hits the market, how much he has left in the tank (he will turn 33 in November), and the strengths/weaknesses of his game:
With the Fitz restructure, I think it is 75/25 that he comes back. He says he has 3-4 really good years left. I think that is completely possible. He definitely has 1-2 if he stays healthy. He still moves really well. He is always around the ball, he can cover pretty well, he is a sure tackler, he can get to the QB with the right schemes. He is not a fantastic pass rusher on his own and he dropped a lot of interceptions last season. Other than that, he is pretty complete -- no real weakness in his game.
That sounds like a guy that could be really valuable in the transition the Titans are about to make. Now I wouldn't give him anymore than a 3-year deal with most of the guaranteed money up front, but Dansby is really someone that Ruston Webster should key in on once the market opens, if he hits the market.
What are your thoughts on Dansby?